Makeup Brushes -Clinique - Clear handled concealer brush
cmlaporte 4/13/2013 5:03:00 PM
I did not purchase this brush to use for applying concealer. I bought it to apply cream eyeshadows. It is the perfect size and shape for that purpose. I would never use a filbert style brush for concealers. The only concealer brushes I would recommend are the Sephora #57 Pro airbrush concealer brush or the ELF flawless concealer brush. They are both HG awesome!
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Invisible Fluid Makeup
cmlaporte 4/12/2013 12:48:00 AM
This foundation leaves the most beautiful natural skin-like finish. I am totally in love with this product. Purchased in shade 2CN1. For the first time that I can remember, I have been able to use a liquid foundation without it appearing heavy or overly greasy, or worst of all, bright orange from oxidisation. It is worth every penny of it's $35 price to achieve this level of flawless perfection. I like to use a small tapered paddle brush to apply because it provides the best coverage on my skin pitted with old acne scars. The makeup does not settle into fine lines or pores. If anything, it optically seems to make pores appear smaller. It does not contain fragrance or any SPF.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Lash Blast Clump Crusher mascara
cmlaporte 11/7/2012 8:43:00 AM
I was excited to try this new LashBlast mascara, but I'm afraid I came away disappointed. The formula is very dry, giving you a limited amount of time to work with it. If you continue to fiddle with your application, you wind up with flakes and spidery looking lashes. I am very meticulous about my mascara application and I like a product that is wet enough to give me the time to ensure that I have optimal and precise coverage and also dry enough, so as not to be left with a big clompy mess. I would have to say, that the mascara that best measures up to those requirements is New York Color City Curls mascara. It is cheaper and better than any Cover Girl mascara.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Nutra Nail - Gel Perfect UV Free Gel Color
cmlaporte 1/7/2012 12:55:00 PM
Got this in Dahlia, which is a fairly close match to OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark. I followed the instructions as closely as possible and the application was fairly easy. The first coat looks horrible and the directions tell you that this will be the case due to the thinness of the coats. After the second coat of activator and gel color my nails looked great. My nails were fully dry in less than five minutes. Depending upon how this wears for me, I might actually be sold on this stuff. Based upon other reviewers comments though, I am not too optimistic about this products performance.
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Blush -L'Oreal - True Match Superblendable Blush in Innocent Flush
cmlaporte 2/20/2009 10:00:00 AM
This blush looks very pretty in the pan and looks wonderful when just applied. The problem, if you have oily skin, is that it turns a very unflattering orange. This used to be my favorite blush. It looked so pretty and natural, at least in my makeup mirror, when initially applied. Hours later, I caught a glimpse of myself in a bathrroom mirror and was shocked by how orange it was. I immediately threw it away. I have no use for products that "turn" on you.
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Powders -Cover Girl - Pocket Powder
cmlaporte 1/24/2005 7:54:00 AM
I really like this foundation. It gives me the coverage I want, without looking cakey or chalky, doesn't change color (think orange mask), and is light enough so I don't feel like I'm even wearing foundation. I have very oily skin even at my age (42 Lord, when am I ever going to grow out of puberty)! With the kind of skin that I have, I can never use liquid or cream foundations because they just settle in to any scars or pits on my face and bring them right out, accentuating my flaws instead of camouflaging them. I think this foundation is a very good option for women with oily skin and the packaging is neat and convenient for carrying with you for touch ups.
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Powder -Palladio - Wet/Dry foundation
cmlaporte 1/24/2005 7:27:00 AM
Decided to try this powder foundation after reading all the great reviews for this product. The texture and application of this powder is flawless. You can't even tell you are wearing it after you put it on, it just looks like your skin. The problem is, at least for me, that it always turns orange. At first, I thought it was because I had mistakenly chosen the wrong shade (natural clarey). So I purchased a lighter shade (ivory myrrh) and it still turned orange. I'm really disappointed that a product that applies so beautifully can end up looking so bad. I tried Cover Girl Pocket Powders instead. It is similar to the Palladio, except it is talc based instead of rice powder. It applies almost as well, is cheaper than Palladio, and never changes color. I'm starting to conclude that for people with truly oily skin, it's the interaction of the rice powder with the oils in the skin that causes the product to turn orange. UPDATE: Purchased again and have completely changed my mind about this product. Bought shade laurel nude and applied it with a Real Techniques buffing brush. Color stays true throughout the day with little darkening and meshes well with the skin. One of the best powder foundations available.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Max Factor - Lash Lift Mascara
cmlaporte 1/24/2005 6:44:00 AM
I am constantly searching for THE perfect mascara. I used to be devoted to L'oreal Voluminous but, since they stupidly changed their formula, I find that it doesn't perform well at all. Applies too thick with clumping. IMHO the best mascara has to have the correct balance of not being too wet or too dry. Clinique mascaras are all too wet and I've never liked them. The Max Factor Lash Lift may just be my new stand by, at least until I find something better. It builds and separates the lashes without clumping and doesn't, at least for me, require multiple coats to do so. I can't comment on whether their claims to lift and curl are true because I have naturally curled lashes and find that using an eyelash curler is an unnecessary step. Other reviewers have made comments on the packaging being tacky. I don't really care what the packaging looks like, it's the performance of the product that concerns me. The tube is just going to sit on my makeup table after I finish using it anyway. I will say that the diamond shaped indentations on the top do make the wand easier to hold while applying. I will probably buy this mascara again.
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